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Criterion
Paper illustration for Accountability Ladder
Operations
Accountability Ladder
Paper illustration for Expectation Mapping.
Facilitation
Expectation Mapping
Paper illustration of a Polarity Map with two poles and four quadrants
Systems Thinking
Polarity Mapping
Paper illustration: scenarios and architectural decisions are connected to identified risks.
Architecture
ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)
Purposedifferent
With defensive reactions to problems, the method shifts the view from justification to ownership. It makes visible which reaction stage a person or team is currently stuck on.When roles, interfaces, or projects fail because of differing expectations, Expectation Mapping surfaces these differences. It shows what each side takes for granted and where the pictures diverge.Polarity Mapping makes tensions between two opposing poles tangible, such as standardization and adaptation or control and autonomy. The method guards against making apparent either-or decisions prematurely.ATAM helps teams weigh architecture decisions when quality goals compete. The team considers business goals, stakeholder expectations, and technical decisions together. The evaluation shows which risks need further investigation.
Complexitydifferent
LowLowMediumHigh
Timedifferent
20-45 min45-90 min1-2 hSeveral meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope
Participantsdifferent
1-83-123-12Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshopWorkshopWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Ownership Reflection, Action Commitment, Coaching NotesExpectation Map, Alignment Notes, AgreementsPolarity Map, Warning Signs, Balance ActionsPrioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations
Tagsno overlap
ResponsibilityLeadershipTeam
AlignmentStakeholdersTeam
Systems thinkingTradeoffsLeadership
ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders
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